Lisa Niver's Blog: We Said Go Travel, page 4

How I Wrote Brave-ish: A Story of Courage, Loss, and TikTok

Thank you to Women Writers, Women’s Books for publishing my article, “How I Wrote Brave-ish: A Story of Courage, Loss, and TikTok“ How I Wrote Brave-ish: A Story of Courage, Loss, and TikTok

March 4, 2025 | By Women Writers Women Books | Reply

By Lisa Niver 

Writing Brave-ish was both a deeply personal and unexpectedly impactful experience. What began as a reflection on my own journey���exploring courage, identity, and adventure���became a deeply cathartic process. Even if it had never been published, the act of writing it would have been enough for me. But once it reached the hands of readers, it took on another dimension.

The process of writing the book was not linear. Just before COVID, I found my developmental editor, and with her guidance, I had an outline���a map of what to do. When the pandemic hit, I initially thought I would use the two-week stay-at-home order to focus on writing. But then two weeks became a month, which turned into more, and before I knew it, I was home for over 400 days. Without travel, I focused my mental energy on sitting down to write, think, and process the horrible ending of my marriage. I worked to rebuild my broken heart, using this time to channel my emotions into my manuscript. My first chapter was written in my therapist���s office, setting the tone for a deeply introspective journey.

Throughout the process, I spoke with my developmental editor nearly every week and set daily writing goals to maintain momentum. I also worked with a book proposal coach, refining my vision for the book. Amidst the uncertainty of the pandemic, I signed with an agent who loved my book and suggested a workshop about TikTok with other writers from his agency. I didn���t want to join or do the recommended challenge, but because he asked, I did���and it worked. A TikTok challenge for 30 days turned into five videos a day for 90, which ultimately helped me secure a publishing deal.

Since its release, the response from readers has been nothing short of humbling. Messages from people who found inspiration in my journey, who saw parallels in their own lives, or who felt encouraged to take their own leap of faith have made every challenging writing moment worthwhile.

Some readers connected deeply with the Jewish cultural and spiritual themes, while others appreciated the honest depiction of my travel, my issues with my eyes and my personal growth. One of the most surprising reactions has been from those who initially picked up the book for the travel stories but ended up reflecting on their own definitions of courage.

At events and book discussions, I���ve had the privilege of hearing firsthand how Brave-ish has impacted people. Some have shared their own stories of stepping into the unknown, whether through travel, career changes, or personal reinvention. Others have spoken about how the book challenged their perceptions of bravery���not as something grand or unattainable, but as a series of small, intentional choices that shape a life.

Ultimately, Brave-ish is a conversation, not just a memoir. The process of writing it taught me as much about myself as the reactions from readers continue to teach me about the universal longing for growth, connection, and the courage to embrace life fully.

EXCERPT from BRAVE-ish��� my sky diving challenge:

The next morning, I woke up and waited until it was time to drive to GoJump Oceanside. When I arrived, they told me that due to the cloud cover, I would have to wait. During the two hours, I talked with my trained tandem instructor. My guide asked me about my project. I mentioned a few things before getting to scuba diving with bull sharks. He said, ���I would never do that. I���m afraid of sharks.��� 

I was nearly unable to speak. 

The man who flings himself regularly and for money as a job and changed his entire life to be able to train and continue to skydive is afraid of sharks. 

I am not so afraid of sharks. 

He continued, ���How can you be scared of skydiving if you scuba with sharks?��� 

For the first time, it hit me in a new way that ���brave��� is relative. I���d always thought of bravery as a light switch���one or the other. You either had it turned on and you were brave and did things, or you were in the dark and you weren���t. As though being brave meant the same thing to all people. I realized ���brave��� is unique to each person. I wasn���t afraid to scuba with sharks anymore because I was well-trained and had experience. This guy might have once been afraid to jump, but now he loved it. Not everyone was afraid of biking, but I had been, so it was brave for me. 

My mind was blown. 

If I let fear win and never tried, my life would be smaller, but I only needed to accomplish my tasks to push myself, not everyone else���s. I wanted to grow and learn to approach new experiences with excitement instead of terror. It was one thing if something just wasn���t for me, but I didn���t want to be stuck. I didn���t want to not jump out of a plane only because I was afraid to. 

BRAVE-ISH: One Breakup, Six Continents, and Feeling Fearless After Fifty

Although Lisa Niver has traveled in far-off locales from Vanuatu to Nepal and received numerous accolades for both her writing and her top ranked website, what people don���t realize is that this began from the wreckage of a rotten romance.

Newlywed Niver was on the adventure of a lifetime. She had quit her job, rented out her condo, and was traveling around Asia. To the outside world, Niver was a woman living out her dreams of exploring ancient ruins in Cambodia and seeing orangutans in Borneo. In private, she was keeping a dark secret. But, when she found herself lying on a sidewalk in Thailand, looking up at the sky in severe pain, she knew things had to change. At age forty-seven, Niver found the courage to set course on a new life.

Feeling like a failure, pushing fifty, and moving home to her parents��� house to start again from scratch, Niver started taking one tiny ���brave-ish��� step at a time to take her life far away from the old one and into the adventurous world of travel writing. These small hurdles led to the challenge of trying fifty new things before turning fifty. From diving into shipwrecks, swimming with sharks, bobsledding at 3 Gs, to indulging in wild escapades, Niver found herself traversing the world on a journey of reinvention, personal growth, and discovering what it actually means to be ���brave.���

While Brave-ish chronicles Niver���s inspiring expeditions to distant corners of the world including Myanmar, Cuba, Morocco, Kenya and Mongolia this is more than a travelogue. Niver���s story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of perseverance. Brave-ish inspires readers to dream big, take risks, and embrace the unknown to create a life filled with wonder and excitement, even when courage seems elusive.

Lisa Niver is an award-winning author, travel journalist and international speaker who has explored 102 countries on all seven continents. This University of Pennsylvania graduate sailed across the seas for seven years with Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and Renaissance Cruises and spent three years backpacking across Asia. Discover her articles in publications from AARP: The Magazine and AAA Explorer to WIRED and Wharton Magazine, as well as her site WeSaidGoTravel.

On her award-winning global podcast, Make Your Own Map, Niver has interviewed Deepak Chopra, Olympic medalists, and numerous bestselling authors, and as a journalist has been invited to both the Oscars and the United Nations. For her print and digital stories as well as her television segments, she has been awarded five Southern California Journalism Awards and four National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards and been a finalist thirty-five times.

Named a top travel influencer, Niver talks travel on broadcast television, her YouTube channel with over 2.5 million views, and in her award-winning memoir, Brave-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless After Fifty. She also inspires wanderlust seekers worldwide to share their adventures in her Udemy class, Travel Writer 101.

AWARDS FOR BRAVE-ish

2025 International Impact Book Awards���Travel

2024 Gold Medal ��� Inspirational ��� North American Book Awards

2024 Gold Bookfest Award ��� Nonfiction Memoir Travel

2024 Gold Nonfiction Book Award ��� Nonfiction Authors Association

2024 Literary Titan Gold Book Award ��� Non-fiction

2024 Silver Bookfest Award ��� Nonfiction Self-Help Inspiration

2024 Readers��� Favorite Honorable Mention ��� Non-Fiction ��� Women���s Genre

2023 Hearten Book Awards First Place Winner ��� Inspiring & Uplifting Non-Fiction

2023 Zibby Awards Runner-up ��� Best Book for The Strong Woman

2023 Goody Business Book Awards Winner ��� Memoir/Self-Help

Featured in Conde Nast Traveler Women Who Travel Book Club: 10 New Books We Can���t Wait to Read this Fall

As seen in Forbes Best New NonFiction

The post How I Wrote Brave-ish: A Story of Courage, Loss, and TikTok appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

Leading the Way: An Antarctic Expedition with Ryan McDevitt on Quark Ultramarine

When Ryan McDevitt first stepped aboard a Quark Expeditions voyage in 2017, it was as a guest looking for adventure. But somewhere between the icy waters, endless skies, and silent, snow-covered landscapes, something shifted. He was hooked���not just on Antarctica, but on expedition travel itself.

What began as a personal journey quickly evolved into a professional path. After starting in guest services, Ryan worked across different ships and roles, steadily gaining experience in the field. He trained through Quark Academy���Quark���s training program which is now unique, land-based in Ushuaia, Argentina, where future guides learn the art of driving Zodiacs, leading landings, and managing safety in some of the world���s most extreme conditions. It���s a powerful part of what makes Quark���s team so strong.

Now in his fourth season as an Expedition Leader, Ryan is surrounded by an elite team of seasoned polar professionals, many of whom have been with the company for over a decade. Their collective experience and chemistry shine���both on shore and onboard. One of Quark���s longest-serving staff members, Fabrice Genevois, the Penguinologist, has been with the company for over 30 years.

Photo from Quark Expeditions by David Merron

Safety is at the core of every decision, and flexibility is key to maximizing adventure. Ryan and the captain continually adapt the itinerary based on weather, wind, and ice conditions. On this voyage, that meant spending extra days in the south, navigating fast ice, and ultimately crossing 104 nautical miles past the Antarctic Circle���the farthest south the Ultramarine has ever been. The rewards? Orca sightings, crabeater seals lounging on ice, three species of penguins with fuzzy chicks, and stunning views of rarely visited areas like the Gullet and the Lemaire Channel, where glassy water reflected cliffs and sky in perfect symmetry.

Photo from Quark Expeditions Paddle Excursion by Michelle Sole

Quark���s Ultramarine is purpose-built for polar exploration, equipped with a hangar for two bright yellow Airbus H145 helicopters���designed specifically for expedition use. Guests can opt for aerial excursions that offer an entirely different perspective of the ice: seeing vast glaciers, dramatic ridgelines, and untouched snowfields from above. One day, you might be gliding silently across the water in a kayak or on a stand-up paddleboard, and the next, lifting off in a helicopter for a heli-landing on a remote ridge. The mix of experiences is thoughtfully balanced to show Antarctica from every angle���on foot, by boat, and from the air.

Back on board, daily life is designed for comfort and care. Guests are outfitted with Quark���s signature yellow parkas, thoughtfully designed with waterproof outer shells, removable liners, and built-in backpack straps so you can carry them easily onboard or ashore. Layers are key in Antarctica, and the team helps every guest understand how to stay warm and dry���often even comfortably so.

And while the landscapes are remote, guests enjoy beautifully designed suites, fresh vegetables, warm bistro meals, and multiple dining options daily. There���s even internet access and a full medical clinic with a dedicated team on board���adding reassurance for travelers who might be venturing this far south for the first time.

Even with all his time on the ice, Ryan says Antarctica never ceases to surprise him. The weather is more unpredictable than when he first began, adding both challenges and excitement. The beauty of expedition travel, he says, lies in being open to the unknown. The more days you have on the itinerary, the more chances you���ll have to chase the magic���and catch it.

And if you���re on the fence about taking the polar plunge?

���It���s one of the highlights for a reason,��� he grins. ���You���ll never really know what it���s like until you experience it for yourself. But I promise���it will be remarkable.���

Ryan McDevitt

Expedition Coordinator, Expedition Guide, Expedition Leader, Logistics Coordinator

Immersed in the high latitudes and surrounded by icebergs or tundra is not the first place you���d expect to find a native Floridian. Ryan���s love for travel brought him to over fifty countries across six continents before discovering the wonders and wilds of the Polar Regions on an Antarctic expedition. He was bitten by the ���polar bug���!

Eager to continue spending time in these regions, Ryan joined the Quark team in 2017. He feels most at home while at sea aboard our expedition vessels and enjoys sharing with our guests his love for the remote wilderness and pristine beauty of the places we���re fortunate to visit. When not onboard one of our ships, you���ll likely find him roaming the forests and mountains of the Pacific Northwest, North America, spending time camping, kayaking and hiking.

Group Photo from Quark Expeditions by Michelle Sole

Ryan attended the University of Florida, graduating with a Bachelor���s degree in Business Administration, specializing in travel and tourism management. He now combines his passion for the outdoors with his years of experience in the hospitality field to his guiding with Quark.

On his first ride in a Zodiac, Ryan fell in love with these remote areas of the planet. He now looks forward to welcoming our guests onboard and watching as they experience the same awe and wonder.

ard Quark Expeditions��� Ultramarine

What is it like to travel to Antarctica? 60+ videos to show you my expedition with penguins, seals, whales, SUP and my polar plunge!

Learn more about my Quark Ultramarine expedition in my interview series with

Fabrice Genevois, Quark Ultramarine���s penguinologist

Paddling Through the Wilds of Antarctica with Kayak Expedition Leader, Kelly

Soaring Above the Ice: Helicopter Adventures with Quark Expeditions and Sarah Zaubi

The Jet Set TV: Adventuring to Antarctica

Find MAKE YOUR OWN MAP PODCAST on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Podcast,�� GoodPods, Audacy, Audible, Pandora,��iHeart Radio��and more����� seen on 7 continents & 59 countries. Click here to see all the AWARDS for MYOM!

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Tiffany Haddish���s ���Get on the Soul Train��� to Support Youth Impacted by Foster Care

Tiffany Haddish���s She Ready Foundation Hosts 3rd annual Adult Prom ���A Night Under the Stars – Get on the Soul Train��� to Raise Awareness and Support Youth Impacted by Foster Care

Tiffany Haddish is bringing soul, sparkle, and serious impact to Los Angeles with her 3rd annual She Ready Foundation Adult Prom, a dazzling celebration themed ���A Night Under the Stars ��� Get on the Soul Train.��� Held in support of youth impacted by the foster care system, the event blends high-energy performances, celebrating heroes who raise awareness for foster care, and testimonials by She Ready Foundation Alumni Fellows. 

Hosted by comedic powerhouses Tiffany Haddish and Jo Koy, the blue-carpet evening will feature performances by Tanya Nolan and the iconic Original Soul Train Dancers, promising guests a prom night full of glamour and generosity. Beyond the entertainment, the event serves as a beacon of hope for foster youth across California���the state with the highest number of children in care.

���This year���s She Ready Foundation Adult Prom is going to be unforgettable,��� says Tiffany Haddish, who founded the nonprofit to address the urgent needs of youth in foster care. ���It���s prom with a purpose���and everybody���s leaving with more than just memories. We���ve got live entertainment, delicious food, and of course���dancing all night long! But most importantly, we���re raising support and awareness for kids who deserve so much more.���

The evening will honor three changemakers whose work has profoundly impacted foster youth:

Eden Alpert, restaurateur and philanthropist, will receive the Hero Award;Francois Reihani, founder of La La Land Kind Caf��, will be recognized with the Champion of Love Award;Lynnwood Bibbens, CEO of Reach TV, will be celebrated with the Inspiration Award.

Guests will participate in a live and silent auction curated by designer Kara Saun, and revel in a nostalgic Soul Train-themed celebration���with prom photo both and groovy soulful Prom is a must!

Haddish, who grew up in the foster system herself, infuses every element of the evening with personal meaning. ���I���ve met so many adults who never got the chance to go to prom, and I wanted to create a beautiful experience for them���and help kids at the same time,��� she shares. ���This is my version of wiping down the sink. You saw what was wrong growing up, so you know what needs to be fixed.���

Executive Director Dr. Thyonne Gordon emphasizes the broader mission: ���Prom: A Night Under the Stars started from the creativity of our founder. People coming together to uplift and elevate foster youth makes my heart sing because this population is often ignored. On top of that, this event keeps She Ready Foundation operational thanks to our amazing donors who give their hearts, time, and talent.���

Dr. Gordon adds, ���We want attendees to leave feeling they���ve had an immersive experience that included good food, great fun, and gargantuan impact toward transitioning foster youth.���

Now in its third year, the Adult Prom has grown into a signature event for the She Ready Foundation, drawing supporters who want to make a difference for youth impacted by foster care. 

The event will be at The Beehive by Sola Impact on Saturday. May 17th. 

Follow us: @SheReadyFoundation and learn more at, https://www.shereadyfoundation.org/

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TICKETS: Purchase Tickets & Prom Packages Here. Your investment is the key to reshaping foster youth futures, all proceeds benefit She Ready Foundation

SHE READY FOUNDATION MISSION

To inspire, protect, and provide resources for youth impacted by foster care.

ABOUT SHE READY FOUNDATION

We���re creating exciting restorative programs to ���love up��� on youth and transitioning adults impacted by the foster care system.

Our programs provide educational and emotional support, specifically throughout the state of California, where the foster care population is one of the largest in the country.

Tiffany Haddish’s Adult Prom: A Night Under The Stars – 80’s Vibe 2024

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 31: (L-R) Richea Jones, Liz Kenney, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Tiffany Haddish, Dr. Thyonne Gordon and Jackie Knobe attend Tiffany Haddish’s Adult Prom: A Night Under The Stars – 80’s Vibe at The Beehive on May 31, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Corine Solberg/Getty Images)

Tiffany Haddish knows all too well what it���s like to move from place to place in the middle of the night with all of her belongings packed in garbage bags feeling like the world has forgotten about her. That���s why she created She Ready Foundation to inspire, protect and provide resources for youth impacted by foster care.

She Ready Foundation serves as the voice of foster children suffering in silence. Adapting the belief of its��� founder that, “Every child who is removed from their parents deserves to have a suitcase, a safe place to lay their head, and a platform to follow their dreams.��� She Ready Foundation aspires to help make this happen through collaborative partnerships.

Our annual PROM is all about making a real difference in the lives of foster youth in California. Tiffany Haddish is your host for the evening, bringing together a fantastic line-up of Hollywood stars and changemakers. This year we���re celebrating in Soul Train style, honoring exceptional individuals and entertainers who aspire to She Ready Foundation’s mission. Funds raised will empower kids and young adults through job skills programs, scholarships, and resources, breaking generational cycles for a life-changing journey!

Tiffany Haddish Prom 2025 Photo Credit: Andrew Drachman She Ready Foundation and Shout Out for A Cause with BJ Korros

The post Tiffany Haddish���s ���Get on the Soul Train��� to Support Youth Impacted by Foster Care appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

Thank You, MSC���A Spectacular Launch for MSC World America

I���m deeply grateful to MSC Cruises for inviting me to the media preview and naming celebration of MSC World America���an unforgettable voyage filled with music, milestones, and meaningful moments.

From the moment we stepped into the newly unveiled PortMiami terminal, it was clear MSC wasn���t just launching a ship���they were ushering in a bold new era of cruise innovation. Designed with both sustainability and scale in mind, this terminal will serve as a central hub for MSC���s growing presence in North America.

But the heartbeat of the celebration was on board MSC World America herself. During this exclusive media sailing, we experienced firsthand the brand���s commitment to next-level entertainment, luxury, and family-friendly fun.

MSC World America Naming Ceremony, Drew Barrymore, Godmother, accompanied by Orlando Bloom. Photo: Anthony Devlin, Getty Images

Highlights included:

A naming ceremony headlined by godmother Drew Barrymore and surprise live concert by Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine that had everyone dancing.The debut of Queen Symphonic, a powerful live show backed by orchestra, singers, dancers, and aerialists���earning a standing ovation from the crowd.The beachside White Party under a full moon at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, where the DJ kept us dancing late into the night with the ship lit up behind us.A vibrant Miami Nights party in Luna Park, one of the ship���s immersive venues, celebrating the music and energy of MSC���s new U.S. flagship.Family-friendly fun at the LEGO�� play area and parade, proving this ship delivers for all generations.

Adding to the impact: we were present for the grand opening of the Marine Conservation Center on Ocean Cay, a significant step in MSC���s ongoing work to restore the island���s ecosystems and support coral reef research and education.

It was also thrilling to see MSC World America featured during Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami���cementing her position as a flagship for MSC���s future in the American market.

From sunrise over Miami to sunset on the sand, this experience was filled with music, connection, and celebration. Thank you, MSC, for letting me be part of this monumental launch���and for reminding us all why cruising is one of the most joyful ways to see the world.

MSC World America – Photo: Ivan Sarfatti Exploring MSC World America-welcome!!

All aboard MSC World America���and wow, what a ship! I���m settling into my balcony cabin 10222, my cozy retreat while I explore this brand-new, next-gen vessel. From dazzling pools and thrilling Harbor attractions to elegant lounges and smart design touches, MSC is bringing serious style to the sea. It���s innovative, energy-efficient, and packed with fun for every kind of traveler.

MSC World America and Drew Barrymore: Naming Day!

Let���s get this party started! Kicking off an unforgettable night at the media event before the spectacular naming ceremony for MSC World America. Godmother Drew Barrymore lit up the stage, with Orlando Bloom, show-stopping performances, and insight from MSC���s executive panel on this tech-forward, energy-efficient, and sustainability-driven ship. MSC is making waves ��� and I���m here for it.

MSC World America Laser Light Show

A full moon, a gentle sea breeze, and a laser light show on the lighthouse . Ocean Cay ��� MSC Marine Reserve lit up the night for MSC World America���s very first overnight call. An unforgettable moment on an island built for magic.

Queen Symphonic Show on MSC World America

At our exclusive media event aboard MSC World America, we got a sneak peek of Queen Symphonic���and it blew us away. A custom-orchestrated soundtrack, four phenomenal vocalists, six terrific dancers, two amazing aerialists, and an incredible live band (yes, including a floating guitarist!). We later caught the full performance, and the crowd was on fire���cheering, singing, and on their feet for a well-deserved standing ovation. The show���s conductor, choreographer, and producer were in the audience that night. MSC isn���t just setting sail, it���s setting the stage.

Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine concert: Welcome MSC World America

What. A. Night. During the spectacular naming celebration for MSC World America in Miami, we were treated to an epic surprise concert by none other than Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine! The rhythm definitely got us���dancing under the stars, celebrating this stunning new ship in true Miami style.

MSC World America White Party on the beach

Moonlit magic + music vibes -During MSC World America’s first-ever overnight at Ocean Cay ��� MSC Marine Reserve, we danced under a glowing full moon at the ultimate White Party on the beach. With a killer DJ and MSC World America lit up like the lighthouse, the island pulsed with energy all night long. Sand in our toes, stars overhead, and memories made.

Hula hooping through paradise!

Hula hooping through paradise! From the crystal-clear turquoise waters to the iconic lighthouse, I twirled my way around Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve during MSC World America’s very first call. Two dreamy days of sunshine, sea breezes, and pure joy���hooping by the ship, in the water, and waving goodbye at sailaway. What a magical start!

Dirty Dancing in Concert on MSC World America

Nobody puts baby in a corner��� especially not on MSC World America! Caught Dirty Dancing in Concert onboard and wow���live musicians, powerhouse vocals, iconic dance moves, and all the feels. Just one of the many epic entertainment moments on this music-filled voyage!

Lego Parade on MSC World America

MSC World America is built for big family adventures! From the moment you step onboard, it���s clear this ship was designed with families in mind: A dedicated Family Aventura District with attractions for kids of all ages A colorful LEGO zone and activities���including the high-energy LEGO character parade dancing along Deck 8���s World Promenade! A splash park, waterslides, and pools made for all-day play VR games, arcades, sports zones, and hangout spaces for teens and tween. Kid-friendly dining options and sweet treats everywhere. Supervised kids’ clubs so grownups can sneak in a little relaxation too. MSC makes it easy for families to cruise together, laugh together, and make lifelong memories.

Miami Nights on MSC World America

Miami Nights on MSC World America was electric! From the pulsating beats at Luna Park to the unforgettable performances, it was a night to remember. And that���s just the beginning���great entertainment all cruise long, from Gloria Estefan to the White Party at Ocean Cay, Queen Symphonic, Dirty Dancing in Concert, and live bands bringing the energy across the ship. Your Rhythm���s Gonna Move You���this cruise had the perfect soundtrack to keep the party going.

What an unforgettable journey aboard MSC World America!

What an unforgettable journey aboard MSC World America! From watching the sunset on our last day to catching the sunrise over Miami, every moment was magical. Thrilled to have been part of the naming ceremony and witness so many incredible firsts���the new terminal, MSC World America, the Marine Conservation Center at Ocean Cay, and the first call at Ocean Cay. So many amazing events and entertainment along the way���from Gloria Estefan to unforgettable parties and shows! Grateful to have celebrated this milestone together with such an incredible crew and fellow guests.

Let���s Holiday on MSC World America with my hula-hoop!

Let���s Holiday! Come tour the brand new MSC World America with me and my hula hoop around the pools and open decks at sunset. The SHARK is the top of a silver SLIDE. This ship is serving up serious #vacation vibes!

Sea Trade 2025 Miami

Soaking up the sunshine and strategy in Miami Beach at #SeaTradeCruise!
From bucket list brainstorms with cruise lines to big ideas with global destinations, it���s been nonstop inspiration and connection. Whether it���s meetings by day or mingling by night at the SLS, Gale, and The Betsy, the energy is electric.

Talking travel trends, future itineraries, new ports, and unforgettable excursions���it���s all about what���s next. Let���s sail into it.

Sailing into the Future: MSC���s New Terminal

MSC World America Naming Ceremony, Ribbon Cutting, Miami, 9 April 2025 credit Ivan Sarfatti

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Top Tips For Planning An Unforgettable Trip To The South Of France

Each year, thousands of tourists flock to the South of France in search of high-end travel experiences, delicious food and wine, and lasting memories. Home to some of the region’s most charming towns and areas of natural beauty, it’s easy to see why it has become such a popular tourist destination.

Photo by Anthony Salerno on Unsplash

With that in mind, here are some top tips for planning a truly unforgettable trip to the South of France. 

Write down a list of must-see destinations. When planning your luxurious trip to the South of France, deciding which areas you���d like to visit ahead of time is key, especially when you have so many options to choose from. For example, you may want to stop by Nice, which is otherwise known as the cultural capital of the French Riviera, or Gordes, a village often considered to be the prettiest in the entire country.

In addition to this, it’s also useful to know in advance which specific attractions you���d like to visit, whether that is museums and historic palaces, wineries and vineyards, or something a little more family-friendly. This will allow you to put together an itinerary that caters to your every need and interest, ensuring that you never run out of things to do.

If you���d prefer to leave the planning to someone else, now is the perfect time to reach out to a travel agent who can take care of this for you. Be sure to discuss your vision for your holiday with them in as much detail as possible, however, in order to ensure they can plan a trip that you���ll genuinely enjoy. 

Time your trip wisely. While travelling during the peak summer months may seem like a great idea, especially if you���re in need of some sunshine, it can mean that you���re also dealing with crowds and significant price hikes. As such, you may prefer to travel between May and June, or September, to enjoy pleasant weather without being surrounded by thousands of other tourists. 

Charter a yacht. Want to explore the coastal areas surrounding the South of France, in a truly unforgettable way? Look into superyacht charter opportunities in the area, which will make for a high-end travel experience like no other. After all, not only will you be surrounded by panoramic views of the Provence-Alpes-C��te d’Azur region and the Mediterranean Sea, but you���ll also have every need catered to by attentive staff who are on hand to make your trip as memorable as possible.��

Find the best accommodation. Whether you���re choosing one town/city as your base and planning daytrips to neighboring areas, or moving from place to place throughout the duration of your trip, there are plenty of options when it comes to accommodation. For example, you can use platforms such as Booking.com to make reservations at 5-star hotels or to rent out private luxurious apartments. Generally speaking, the sooner you book, the better, as you can ensure these spaces are not fully booked before you get the chance to stop by.

Make a reservation at a Michelin-star restaurant. While you���ll be able to find delicious meals throughout the region, visiting one of Provence-Alpes-C��te d’Azur���s Michelin-starred restaurants is also a must. Fortunately, you have plenty of options to choose from in this regard, from the 3-star rated Le Petit Nice in Marseille to La Table du Castellet in Castellet, which is known for its delicious desserts and pastries.��

Again, you should book in advance when dining out, to avoid disappointment when being turned away at the last possible minute. This also gives you the chance to check out the menu ahead of time, which is particularly important if you have any dietary restrictions that you must cater to. 

No matter which restaurants you decide to patron, be sure to try some of the region���s most famous dishes, such as Bouillabaisse, Ratatouille, A��oli and Tarte Trop��zienne. You cannot go wrong with seafood dishes, either!

Make time for a round of golf. If you���re an avid golfer, then setting aside some time for a round or two of golf is also a great idea. After all, this means that you can indulge in one of your favourite hobbies while surrounded by some truly stunning views. There are many excellent golf courses in the area, including Royal Mougins, where the Cannes Open is held every year, and Ste. Maxime, which overlooks the St. Tropez coast.��

Ensure that you relax, too. While you may be keen to fill your itinerary with a range of activities and dining experiences, remember that the whole point of going on a vacation is to relax. This means that there���s nothing wrong with leaving some gaps in your itinerary, either. For example, you could spend some time lounging by the pool (sampling your hotel���s cocktail menu) or strolling along the beach. Either way, this will allow you to recharge and refresh, so that you���re able to keep up with the rest of your plans! 

Rent out a luxury vehicle. While the South of France does have an excellent public transport system, it’s not necessarily something that you want to have to deal with when on vacation. You can bypass the crowds and guarantee yourself a more high-end experience by renting out a luxury car instead of time. After all, this will allow you to move freely from place to place, while also ensuring that you travel in style. If you don���t want to be behind the driver���s seat yourself, don���t worry, plenty of companies also run chauffeur services you can rely on during this time, which saves you a great deal of hassle.

Final thoughts. Whether you���re heading out on a solo venture or traveling with your partner and family, there���s plenty to see and do in the South of France, making it a must-visit stop on your travel bucket list. Be sure to refer to this guide when planning your trip, in order to make the vacation as memorable as possible.����

The post Top Tips For Planning An Unforgettable Trip To The South Of France appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

April News: Hope, High Seas, and Heartfelt Moments

April News 2025 Niver’s Newsletter 184

April Adventures: Gratitude, Growth, and New Horizons

April has been a month filled with gratitude, celebration, and big dreams for the future. After 19 months, my memoir BRAVE-ish became the #5 Most Wished For and reached #10 in its travel category���a milestone that fills me with immense gratitude and amazement. I���m especially thankful for time spent with family, celebrating my mom���s birthday skiing in Park City, and gathering for Passover, the Jewish holiday about freedom from narrow places, a powerful reminder to always hold onto hope���for ourselves, for each other, and for the safe return of the 59 hostages still held in Gaza.

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Professionally, April brought the chance to dream even bigger at SeaTrade Cruise Global in Miami Beach, soaking up sunshine and strategy with cruise lines, destinations, and travel innovators from around the world. From brainstorming bucket-list adventures to exploring what���s next for new ships, ports, and itineraries, the energy was electric���from meetings by day to mingling by night at the SLS, Gale, and The Betsy.

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One highlight was sailing on MSC���s newest ship, packed with incredible entertainment and an unforgettable stop at their private island���I brought my college friend Heather with me and she loved her very first cruise! I wrapped up the month celebrating travel dreams in motion at the newly renovated Sonesta Los Angeles Airport Hotel, the perfect spot close to LAX to toast new beginnings.

Here���s to freedom, family, and the future���on land and at sea.

Sea Trade 2025 MiamiMSC World America: Let’s Holiday on the media preview cruise April 9-12, 2025Happy Birthday Mom

Celebrating my mom���s birthday at Sammy���s Bistro in Park City. From spring skiing to the warmest welcome at dinner ��� complete with birthday singing and the most unforgettable carrot cake ��� we felt the love. So grateful for these moments, this family, and the chance to celebrate together.

Skiing Park City April 2025 with my family!Celebrating with Spring SkiingWhere to stay and play at LAX? Sonesta Los Angeles Airport HotelANTARCTICA with Quark Expeditions: now over 60 videos RECENT ARTICLES:Soaring Above the Ice: Helicopter Adventures with Quark ExpeditionsKayak with Kelly in Antarctica on Quark UltramarineExploring Antarctica���s Penguins with Quark ExpeditionsMy Media Journey on Icon of the SeasRECENT INTERVIEWS:

Media in Minutes: “Chasing Adventure: Travel Journalist Lisa Niver���s Global Odyssey” Thank you to Angela Tuell and Communications Redefined for this amazing interview!

Authority Magazine: Travel Journalist��Lisa Niver: Second Chapters; How I Reinvented Myself In The Second Chapter Of My Life

Woman’s World: Best Travel Deals at Costco. Thank you Anna Traver for including me in your Woman’s World article, “How to Book Your Next Vacation Through Costco���The Best Travel Deals and Perks Explained.

Learn more about my events: click here and my articles here

I have events nearly every month–hope to see you at a live event soon–and you can invite me to speak at your conference, library, bookstore, book club live or on ZOOM!

Want to travel more? I have a Travel Writer 101 class on Udemy. CLICK here for a coupon to take my class for FREE!

I have students in 9 countries so far:
Australia, Canada, India, Italy, New Zealand, Philippines, Portugal, Thailand, USA!
Join us on the adventure of travel writing!

THANK YOU for watching my award-winning podcast, Make Your Own Map: Are YOU ready to be BRAVE? It has now been seen and heard in 58 countries on 7 continents. Five newest countries watching: Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Chile and Ukraine. Welcome!!

Have you heard my recent podcast episodes?Soaring Above the Ice: Helicopter Adventures with Quark Expeditions��� Sarah Zaubi Kayaking with Kelly in Antarctica on Quark UltramarineExploring Antarctica���s Penguins with Quark Expeditions

WATCH my podcast, “MAKE YOUR OWN MAP: ” on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Podcast,  Google Podcasts, Audacy, Audible, Anchor, Pandora & iHeart Radio

WHERE CAN YOU FIND MY TRAVEL VIDEOS?

Here is the link to my video channel on YouTube where I have over 2.3 Million views on YouTube! (now at: 2,370,000).

Thank you for your support! Are you one of my 4,580 subscribers? I hope you will join me and subscribe! For more We Said Go Travel articles, TV segments, videos and social media: CLICK HERE

Find me on social media with over 150,000 followers. Please follow me on social @LisaNiver TikTok, X  Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn, BlueSky and at LisaNiver.com.

EPIC JOURNEY Crossing the Antarctic Circle with Quark Expeditions. Click here to see my Antarctica videos !

Do you LOVE my book BRAVE-ish? PLEASE WRITE A REVIEW!! Click here to go directly to rate or review BRAVE-ish on Amazon (now at 61 reviews. Help me get to 75) You can find my book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Simon & Schuster, Post Hill Press, Target, Walmart, BookShop, BAM! and wherever you get your audiobooks!

People always ask me where is it best to buy my book. I recommend you go into or call your favorite local book store and ask them to order it for you and pick it up IN THE STORE! You never know what other treasures you will find. Any bookstore can order my book because my publisher is Post Hill Press and it is distributed by Simon and Schuster. My book is now in the library on Quark Ultramarine and in the store at Dubray bookstore on Grafton in Dublin, Ireland! Brave-ish is available all over the globe!

You can also find me now on SUBSTACK!

The post April News: Hope, High Seas, and Heartfelt Moments appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

Siskel and Ebert meet Joan Didion

Congratulations to Ben Tanzer on his new book, After Hours: Scorsese, Grief and the Grammar of Cinema .

After Hours: Scorsese, Grief and the Grammar of Cinema is a live wire examination of author Ben Tanzer���s relationship to Martin Scorsese���s famous 1985 film, and how it helped him to make sense of the death of his father. Tanzer also delves into the overall importance of Scorsese and his films to his family, using After Hours as a lens into his life decisions���most particularly in the form of late-night visits to downtown New York City in the 1980s when he first came of age and began to ask himself how one manages to live a life of meaning, excitement, exploration, and joy.

EXCERPT: After Hours: Scorsese, Grief and the Grammar of Cinema, a mix of grief memoir and film criticism.

I grew up in a family where movies provided the lens into the where���s and when���s of who we were and what we were doing, as well as allowing us to make sense of those where���s and when���s.

My first movie? Fran��ois Truffaut���s The Wild Child���age two. After seeing the film, my therapist mother asked me what I thought it was about and I replied, ���the boy wanted to go home.���

Isn���t that the way it is with movies though? We want to escape, something���drudgery, feeling trapped���and we want to return to something as well���calm, pleasure, a place that makes sense.

Which is what After Hours is about. An office drone named Paul Hackett, portrayed by Griffin Dunne, heads down to SoHo in New York City to briefly escape his redundant, insular, and boring life, and when he wants to go home, he can���t find his way there, despite how hard he tries.

Is that description of the movie too simple or reductionist?
Of course.
Is it accurate?
Totally.
Why does it mean something to me?
You���ll see.

One thing I know is that After Hours���and Martin Scorsese���meant something to my mother and my father, both New Yorkers and Jews, both cineastes.

My father is long dead now, which I share because this book is about a lot of things he cared about���After Hours, Scorsese, cinema���s importance to our lives, creativity, genius, New York City, chaos, balance, memory, living an artistic life where one feels some kind of control over their destiny���none of which Paul Hackett feels, nor what Scorsese felt when he decided to make the film.

This work is also about grief���how it never goes away, and how we adapt to loss by simultaneously embracing it and pushing through it���something I want to believe can be as
organic as anything I���m attempting here.
~
Does it mean something that Scorsese was interviewed in Deadline in 2023 in relation to the release of Killers of the Flower Moon and had the following exchange:

DEADLINE: You���re 80. Do you still have that fire to get right back behind the camera and get the next one going?
SCORSESE: Got to. Got to. Yeah. I wish I could take a break for eight weeks and make a film at the same time [laughs]. The whole world has opened up to me, but it���s too late. It���s too late.
DEADLINE: What do you mean by that?
SCORSESE: I���m old. I read stuff. I see things. I want to tell stories, and there���s no more time. Kurosawa, when he got his Oscar, when George [Lucas] and Steven [Spielberg] gave it to him, he said, ���I���m only now beginning to see the possibility of what cinema could be, and it���s too late.��� He was 83. At the time, I said, ���What does he mean?��� Now I know what he means.

To create.
To escape.
To live a creative life, we must live long enough to accomplish these things.
Scorsese is 80.
Kafka was 41 when he died.
My father was 59.
I���m 54 at the time of this writing.
How many masterpieces does one have to create?
The answer is there���s never enough time.

One day near the end of my father���s life, a young rebbe, his daughters and one of his followers came to the hospital to perform a Rosh Hashanah service. As the girls sang and the follower blew the shofar, my father silently cried. He hardly ever cried during his lifetime���too proud, too tightly wrapped in emotions, fears, and limitations. After the service my mother asked me if I thought my father might���ve been better able to stretch himself as an artist if he hadn���t been so
trapped in his own head. We won���t know the answer to this, just as we won���t know what comes next for Paul Hackett at the end of After Hours as he goes back to work.
~

BUY BEN’s BOOKS: CLICK HERE

BEN TANZER
Emmy-award winner Ben Tanzer’s acclaimed work includes the short story collection UPSTATE, the science fiction novel Orphans and the essay collections Lost in Space and Be Cool. His recent novel The Missing was released in March 2024 by 7.13 Books and was a Chicago Writers Association Book of the Year finalist in the category of Traditional Fiction and his forthcoming book After Hours: Scorsese, Grief and the Grammar of Cinema, which Kirkus Reviews calls “A heartfelt if overstuffed tribute to the author���s father and the ameliorative power of art,” will be released from Ig Publishing in May 2025. Ben lives in Chicago with his family.

MORE FROM BEN TANZER:
Website: https://www.tanzerben.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BenTanzer

Twitter: https://x.com/BenTanzer

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanzerben/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@booksbybentanzer

Thank you to Ben Tanzer for interviewing me on his podcast, THIS PODCAST WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE, about my memoir, BRAVE-ish!

LISTEN HERE

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FROM IG PUBLISHING:

Siskel and Ebert meet Joan Didion in Auteur, a unique series that combines in-depth film criticism with personal autobiography. Each book in the series examines a single movie through a critical and historical lens, filtered through the author���s creative and emotional connection to the film. The result mixes literary memoir with a loving study of some of our most beloved and influential films.

After Hours: Scorsese, Grief and the Grammar of Cinema is a live wire examination of author Ben Tanzer���s relationship to Martin Scorsese���s famous 1985 film, and how it helped him to make sense of the death of his father. Tanzer also delves into the overall importance of Scorsese and his films to his family, using After Hours as a lens into his life decisions���most particularly in the form of late-night visits to downtown New York City in the 1980s when he first came of age and began to ask himself how one manages to live a life of meaning, excitement, exploration, and joy. 

Emmy-award winner Ben Tanzer���s acclaimed work includes the short story collection Upstate, the science fiction novel Orphans and the essay collections Lost in Space and Be Cool. Ben is a storySouth and Pushcart nominee, a finalist for the Annual National Indie Excellence and Eric Hoffer Book Awards, a winner of the Devil���s Kitchen Literary Festival Nonfiction Prose Award and a Midwest Book Award. He also received an Honorable Mention at the Chicago Writers Association Book Awards for Traditional Non-Fiction and a Bronze Medal from the Independent Publisher Book Awards. He���s written for Hemispheres, Punk Planet, Men���s Health, and The Arrow, AARP���s GenX newsletter. His latest novel, The Missing, was released in March 2024. Ben lives in Chicago with his family. 

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Soaring Above the Ice: Helicopter Adventures with Quark Expeditions

Antarctica is already one of the most breathtaking destinations on Earth���but experiencing it from the sky adds an entirely new dimension. Onboard Quark Expeditions��� Ultramarine, a state-of-the-art ship purpose-built for polar exploration, guests have the rare opportunity to take to the skies in one of two bright yellow twin-engine Airbus H145 helicopters. These sleek aircraft are not just for show���they���re a vital part of Quark���s innovative approach to immersive, off-ship adventure.

WATCH my interview with Sarah Zaubi who was Helicopter Operations Manager on my voyage and is now an Expedition Leader: From Ship to Sky: Helicopter Landings and Flightseeing with Quark Expeditions

Antarctica Adventure on Quark Expeditions��� Ultramarine includes helicopter flight

Mesmerized by every helicopter takeoff!

Housed in a custom-built onboard hangar and designed with expedition operations in mind, these helicopters allow for flightseeing tours and heli landings���two unforgettable ways to explore otherwise inaccessible parts of the Antarctic landscape. Every guest has the chance to participate in a flightseeing trip, lifting off from the deck of the Ultramarine to soar over vast icefields, towering mountains, and hidden glaciers. And for those on itineraries that include heli landings, small groups can touch down on remote ridgelines or wide-open plateaus, places no one could reach by Zodiac.

Taking Off Over Antarctica!

With new heli-forward itineraries on the horizon, Quark Expeditions is continuing to push the boundaries of how we experience the polar regions. The Ultramarine was built with these types of adventures in mind, featuring an advanced hangar and launchpad system to streamline operations and maximize guest time off the ship. The helicopters themselves are flown by highly skilled pilots with deep experience in polar flying, ensuring both safety and spectacle with every takeoff and landing.

Hula-hooping, Helicopters and Antarctica

To understand what makes Quark���s helicopter operations so unique���and what it takes to fly above one of the most remote places on Earth���I spoke with Sarah Zaubi, helicopter manager on my voyage where we had these epic aerial adventures. From the logistics of getting everyone safely in the air to the unforgettable views only seen from above, Sarah gives us a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most exhilarating aspects of a Quark voyage.

Soaring Over Antarctica Onboard Quark Expeditions��� Ultramarine

What is it like to travel to Antarctica? 60+ videos to show you my expedition with penguins, seals, whales, SUP and my polar plunge!

Learn more about my Quark Ultramarine expedition in my interview series with

Fabrice Genevois, Quark Ultramarine���s penguinologist

Paddling Through the Wilds of Antarctica with Kayak Expedition Leader, Kelly

The Jet Set TV: Adventuring to Antarctica

Thank you to Quark Expeditions for making my dream of not only stepping on my seventh continent but also hula-hooping, stand up paddleboarding and flying over the great white continent in a helicopter south of the Antarctic circle become a reality! Thank you to Fabrice, Kelly, Ryan and Sarah for allowing me to interview them and share the amazing journey! I loved being in Antarctica on expedition so much.

Antarctica By Helicopter: Icebergs, Mountains and Remote Lands��� | Quark ExpeditionsThis never-before-offered journey utilizes the advance capabilities of the Ultramarine and its two twin-engine helicopters to provide unparalleled access to rarely visited eastern regions of the Antarctic Peninsula, including the Antarctic Sound, Erebus and Terror Gulf, and the Weddell Sea.Over 12 days, guests will enjoy at minimum two helicopter flightseeing excursions and one heli-landing, in addition to Zodiac and land-based adventures, ensuring that they experience Earth���s last great wilderness from all vantage points. These areas, rich with wildlife, will provide opportunities for guests to spot seals, whales, and Emperor Penguins. 12-day expedition is offered on 2 voyages on Ultramarine on November 27, 2025 and December 7, 2025. Click here to bookSarah Zaubi

Expedition Leader, Helicopter Operations Manager, Expedition Guide, Paddle Excursion Guide, Sea Kayak Guide

Growing up in the wilds of the Chicago suburbs, Sarah learned how to thrive in the outdoors by asking ���stupid��� questions, getting cold and wet, losing sleep, color-coordinating her gear, and making mistakes. Sarah learned how to guide in the outdoors by taking wilderness medical courses, guiding courses, and by working alongside other professionals in the outdoors. Sarah has been working as a backcountry guide around the world since 2013 and has always color-coordinated her gear. For that reason, Sarah encourages her guests and clients to ask every question (no matter how stupid it might seem,) to come humbly to any experience, and to wear good gear (color-coordination not required).

When she is not working in the Polar Regions, you can find her at home in Alaska, or in the Colorado mountains where she enjoys snowboarding, packrafting, working on her embroidery, and snort-laughing at her own jokes.

Lisa Niver STANDING on the ice south of the Antarctic circle–did you see me hula-hoop on the FAST ICE? PHOTO from QuarkExpeditions by Sam Edmonds: Guests and Gentoo

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Booking.com: Holiday Travel Tips��

Thank you Booking.com for publishing my article, ���Holiday Travel Tips for Stress-Free Festive Trips.”

Travelling during the holidays can be tricky. These tips will help you navigate the holidays for stress-free travel:

Navigate holiday travels during the festive seasonTips on how to overcome common challenges during festive travelManaging holiday travel hiccups

The holidays are coming! Winter break is a time for celebrations, from family gatherings to New Year���s festivities and maybe even a much-needed vacation. But if you’ve ever travelled during this time, you know it can be a little hectic. Between crowded airports, jam-packed roads and unpredictable weather, it���s easy to feel overwhelmed. With some careful planning, you can navigate the holiday travel season without losing your festive spirit.

Why holiday travel can be stressful

Travelling during the holidays can be a challenge. With everyone trying to get somewhere at the same time, it���s like the entire world is playing a game of musical chairs ��� and we all want the same seat! Understanding why these travel days are so busy can help you figure out the best way to avoid the biggest headaches.

The impact of busy travel days

You���ve probably noticed that airports feel like shopping malls on Black Friday during winter break. It���s because we���re all rushing to get to our holiday plans, whether it���s a big family gathering or a New Year���s Eve party with friends ��� or just some well-deserved downtime. Flights get overbooked, highways get clogged and security lines seem to stretch into next week. But with a little planning, you can dodge the worst of it.

Common challenges during festive travel

Beyond the crowds, there are a few other factors that can throw a wrench in your holiday travel plans. Weather is one of the big ones. Depending on where you are, snowstorms and icy roads can cause delays and with more people travelling, the chances of something going wrong ��� like a flight cancellation or a traffic jam ��� are higher. But fear not! A little flexibility and planning go a long way.

Thanksgiving travel tips

Let���s start with Thanksgiving, which kicks off the holiday travel season. Whether you���re heading out for a family feast or sneaking away for a quick getaway, Thanksgiving travel can be hectic but manageable.

Busiest travel days for Thanksgiving

The days leading up to Thanksgiving and the weekend after are notorious for heavy traffic and crowded airports. If you can, consider the somewhat wacky idea of flying out on Thanksgiving Day itself ��� it might sound crazy and the timing won���t work for everyone especially if your family eats early but airports are much quieter and you���ll still make it in time for turkey. Or, if you���ve got the flexibility, leave a few days earlier or stay a few days longer to avoid the busiest travel times.

Strategies for avoiding peak travel times

If you can���t adjust your schedule, travelling early in the morning is your next best bet. Flights are often less crowded and you���ll have more time to handle any unexpected delays.

Booking and planning for Thanksgiving

When it comes to Thanksgiving travel, early birds truly do get the best deals. Whether you’re flying, travelling by train or driving, the earlier you book, the better.

Packing and preparation for Thanksgiving travel

If you���re bringing food or gifts, make sure you���re prepared. Keep your gifts unwrapped in case the TSA needs to check them and for food items, know what���s allowed (yes to pies, no to liquids like gravy!). It also may be worth travelling carry-on only.

Preparing for travel delays (Thanksgiving)

Thanksgiving travel comes with its own challenges ��� whether it���s packed highways or unpredictable weather. To stay ahead of the game, always leave some cushion in your plans. Whether you’re flying or driving, having extra time on your side can save you from the frustration of backed-up traffic or delayed flights. My best advice? Always have a backup plan. If you���re flying, choose flexible flight tickets and monitor your flight status closely. For road trips, knowing alternate routes can make all the difference. And don���t forget to get your car road trip ready with a quick check-up and an emergency kit on hand. You’ll thank yourself when those inevitable holiday surprises pop up!

Winter break travel tips

While winter break is an exciting time to travel, it can also be a bit of a logistical puzzle. But don���t worry, here are some tips to help you avoid the usual holiday travel madness.

Busiest travel days for winter break

Everyone seems to want to travel at the same time around the winter holidays. The weekend before the break is usually packed, as is the week leading up to New Year���s. If you have the option, flying on the actual holiday can be much calmer. Most people would rather already be at their destination, which leaves the airports quieter, air availability greater ��� and sometimes even cheaper.

Best travel days around winter break

If you can swing it, flying a few days before or after the main holiday rush can save you from some serious headaches. Consider leaving mid-week, if possible. Or, if you���re not tied to a specific date, take a trip right after New Year���s when the crowds have thinned out.

Booking and planning for winter break

Just like with Thanksgiving, when you���re flying during the holidays, choosing early is your best strategy but make sure you know what the cancellation policies are. Sometimes it is much cheaper because you cannot cancel for any reason!

Packing and preparation for winter break travel

For those of us who love giving gifts, packing them for travel can feel like a game of Tetris. If you���re flying, keep those small or moderately sized gifts in your carry-on to avoid the risk of losing them in checked luggage. Whether carried on or checked in, just remember to leave them unwrapped as TSA may want to take a peek and bring separately all the bows and scotch tape with you. And if you���re bringing any special treats or goodies, check TSA���s rules on food and liquids to avoid any surprises.

Navigating winter break disruptions

Winter break often means dealing with unpredictable weather, especially if you’re headed to colder destinations. Snowstorms and icy conditions can throw your plans off track, so it���s essential to have a Plan B ready. Whether it’s rebooking options for a cancelled flight or knowing where to find the best roadside assistance during a snowstorm, having backup plans gives you peace of mind.

For those flying, using airline apps and taking screenshots of mobile boarding passes is a great way to avoid patchy WiFi.

For drivers, make sure your car is winter-ready with a tyre check, emergency supplies and detour plans. When the weather decides to take over, flexibility and preparedness are your best travel companions.

Key travel dates to avoid

Knowing when everyone else is travelling can help you plan around the crowds. Thanksgiving tends to peak on the Wednesday before and the Sunday after. For winter break, the busiest days are the weekend before the holiday and the days right before New Year���s.

Booking strategies

No matter what holiday you’re celebrating, booking early is key. Use travel apps to track prices and snag the best deals when they pop up. And don���t forget about car rentals ��� they tend to sell out quickly during the holidays, so locking in your reservation early can save you a ton of stress.

Packing tips

If you���re flying, be prepared by checking TSA guidelines. If you���re travelling by car or rail, stay alert and keep your valuables stored safely.

Be sure to keep your medications, documents and an extra set of clothes in your carry-on. Also, try having a shawl or warmer garment ready���you never know what winter will throw your way.

Managing Christmas travel hiccups

Let���s be honest ��� winter travel rarely goes exactly as planned. Whether it���s snowstorms, flight delays or packed airports, having a few backup options in your back pocket is a smart move. In travel, the most important word is flexibility. Things can change and going with the flow can make all the difference. Be ready with alternate routes, a flexible flight plan and an extra dose of patience. If you���re flying around Christmas, be prepared for overbooked flights and long security lines.

If you want to avoid some of the queues, it may be worth flying on Christmas Eve or even Christmas Day. Airports tend to be quieter and the festive spirit makes everything a bit more relaxed.

Of course, this flexibility also extends to showing kindness to those working during the holidays. It���s all about finding a balance and helping each other out. And for road trips, leave early in the day to dodge traffic and plan extra stops just in case you hit any surprises on the way. Pack a good attitude along with your bags ��� it���ll help you reach your destination in the best possible mood!

The holidays are about spending time with the people we care about and with these travel tips, you can focus on enjoying your break rather than stressing about the journey. Safe travels and happy holidays, wherever you’re headed!

MORE STORIES from LISA at Booking.com

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A Wellness Retreat: St. Lucia���s StolenTime Resort

A rainbow greeted us upon our arrival to StolenTime Resort, which I took as a good omen. PHOTO: Holly Corbett

In today���s fast-paced world, couples may be more plugged in to their devices, the news cycle, and work and family obligations than to each other. I���m fully behind the new adage that ���couples that unplug together stay together.��� That���s why I chose to celebrate my 10-year-wedding anniversary in the ���honeymoon capital of the Caribbean��� at St. Lucia���s aptly-named StolenTime Resort.

Time is a finite commodity. It���s something that we can���t make more of, and in my second half of life I���m feeling an even greater pull to be more intentional about spending it well. Yet I find myself scrolling or getting caught up in the busyness of daily life without spending enough time reconnecting with myself and my loved ones. Sometimes it takes getting away to get me out of autopilot. The time my partner, Matt, and I spent living in the present moment at StolenTime was a tremendous gift.

The wellness destination is an all-inclusive, and only recently moved from a couples-only resort to an adults-only resort. Reconnection remains at the heart of StolenTime���s vibe, with well-being at the core of its offerings. Here is what to expect during a visit, and how we choose to spend our time at StolenTime.

The History

The setting itself encourages relaxation, with cottages and suites built on a powder-soft white-sand beach, the soundtrack being palm leaves rustling in the ocean breeze, the signature scent being fresh saltwater air, and ample sunshine to soak up (unless you���re lounging on one of the many beach chairs under an umbrella). 

The Barnard family, whose ancestors have lived on the island since the 1800s, bought this beach-front property in the 1950s as a family retreat. The family was in the coal business, and also grew sugar, coconut, bananas and eventually founded a rum distillery. They also loved to entertain, and when visitors strolling the beach saw the bar the Barnard family built for their personal retreat, they mistakenly thought it was a public establishment and ordered drinks and food. The story goes that the owner Denis was happy to invite guests into his home. They eventually built small cottages for visitors to sleep in that expanded into a full-fledged resort.

StolenTime guest rooms with beach views. PHOTO: StolenTime

Today they call the retreat StolenTime, centering it on the philosophy, ���It���s about time you introduced your body to your mind.��� StolenTime���s grounds are dotted with guest suites and cottages, pools, a spa, a Champagne bar, and three restaurant options. Well-maintained paths are lined with lush gardens and plenty of lounge chairs set up in pockets of nature for privacy. There is a 130-year-old Samaan tree in the center of it all, with a trunk as thick as a cottage and branches that seem to stretch out for miles, adorned in hanging vines, twinkle lights, and a chair swing that invites couples to sit down together and gaze up at the stars.

The Vibe

This isn���t modern-day luxury, but an old-world charm that truly grew on us as our time at the resort went on. It felt as if time slowed down, and a large part of that feeling may have been that the use of devices and wi-fi is discouraged in the common areas (though wi-fi is available throughout the property, most guests logged on only when in their rooms).

I���ll admit I felt a little jittery on day one, as if I was missing something because I didn���t have my cell phone at my fingertips to fill up quiet moments checking messages or scrolling. But that feeling soon faded as I laid next to Matt on a double lounge chair in the secluded Secret Garden River, attempting to read a book but being lulled to sleep by the sound of the birds and the sun on my face.

Relaxation areas in the Secret Garden River at StolenTime. PHOTO: Holly Corbett

Since the buildings were separate rather than one single structure, guests are naturally immersed in nature, needing to walk the tree-lined paths or across the gardens or along the beach to get where they are going. More time spent in nature reminded me how healing it is to be outside immersed in plants and birds and sunshine. Our minds began to quiet and our pace slowed down as we not only reconnected with each other, but also with nature and the land. A large portion of guests at StolenTime are repeat visitors, and I can see how you can get connected to the place itself.

It’s also people who make a place feel like a home away from home, and the staff at StolenTime were friendly and welcoming. Matt pointed out how much laughter was heard throughout the resort, from the staff interacting with each other to joking around with guests. This feeling of community added to the resort���s comfortable atmosphere.

Matt’s PADI instruction in the pool at StolenTime. PHOTO: Holly Corbett

Matt���s playful, competitive side came out when pickleball instructors Gemma and Miles challenged us to our first-ever match, and continued to encourage us to try new activities throughout the week. Sandra, who has worked at the resort for around 30 years and plans the weddings and vow renewal ceremonies, had a wide smile and a gentle ease about her as she helped me plan a private candle-lit dinner on the beach, and a romantic breakfast in bed. The staff at the onsite SCUBA and water sports center were fun and knowledgeable, helping Matt to learn the ropes of SCUBA diving first in the hotel���s pool before taking us out to sea, all while sharing stories about life on the island.

What To Do

I���d never experienced an all-inclusive before this vacation, and I loved not having to think about considering the cost of every activity, carrying a wallet or how much to tip for everything (though not required, visitors have the choice to show their appreciation by leaving a tip envelope at the end of the stay, removing decision-making pressure in the moment).

With a daily schedule of activities ranging from sunrise meditations on the beach to sip-and-paint classes to water skiing lessons to hikes to the Gros Piton, guests can choose to do as many activities as they want���or choose to do nothing at all but sit at the swim-up bar.

Palm trees and lounge chairs on the beach. PHOTO: StolenTime The daily activity board.

Matt and I found ourselves falling into a gentle daily rhythm, beginning the day strolling the beach hand in hand, followed by eating tropical fruit and eggs al fresco before deciding between heading to the beach studio for a morning yoga class or one of the dozens of other daily activities, or deciding to go it alone, such as by taking out the stand-up paddleboards to explore. We both like adventure and to try new things, so we balanced our time lounging by the pool and taking advantage of the many classes, such as trying a couples��� massage class at the Spa in the Water Garden, Hobie Cat sailing lessons at the water activity center, and wine tasting at the Champagne Bar to the soundtrack of a jazz piano player.

There���s an onsite SCUBA diving center (diving excursions are extra charges), where guests can sign up for dives and even get PADI certified. Having the center onsite was so easy because we just had to roll out of bed to meet our group for a two-tank dive to the Anse La Raye Wall. I���m PADI certified and Matt is not, so I was thrilled there was a way for him to join me on the dives. Matt finished his pool instruction in preparation the day before, and we paid extra to have a private dive master dive stay with us, as is required for non-certified divers. Exploring the underwater world together and spotting marine life such as a manta ray was an epic way to make new memories together and learn more about the ocean we all depend on.

Where To Eat Our favorite lunch spot where shoes are optional: Malabar Beach Club PHOTO: Holly Corbett Our romantic Dinner Under The Stars set up. PHOTO: Holly Corbett On the dock at the Friday Night fish fry and street party. PHOTO: Holly Corbett

There were three dining options on site, but our favorite by far was the Malabar Beach Club, which had tables set up right on the beach under the cover of a tent. We ate barefoot with our toes in the sand. It���s open for lunch and dinner most nights and features locally-sources ingredients. I���m a fan of the fresh-caught, grilled dorado.

Breakfast was a big buffet offering eggs and pancakes made to order at the open-air Terrace Restaurant, also with ocean views. Terrance Restaurant also does a nice beach barbecue dinner on Fridays, complete with tiki torches. The third and final restaurant, Thyme Restaurant, is also the fanciest. It���s the only indoor restaurant with silver-plated silverware and crystal glasses that serves up French and St. Lucian fusion dishes.

To explore the local food scene, we ventured into the nearby town of Gros Islet on Friday night for the much-talked about fish fry and street party. We waited in a line that stretched down the street for the much-worth-it red snapper cooked over coals. We spent the rest of the night dancing with islanders and tourists alike to music played by local DJs.

Our most special meal was the private ���Dinner Under the Stars��� that Sandra helped me to arrange (an extra charge). As the sun melted behind the ocean and the first points of light started to dust the evening sky, Matt and I strolled a tiki-torch lined path to our pop-up table on the beach for a truly romantic dinner that included dorado mille-feuille and chocolate dipped-fruit. We had our own waiter and a private patch of beach that was all ours for the evening.

As we toasted to the last night of our anniversary trip, we made new vows to not need to steal time, but to take it unapologetically���and to never forget to stop and look up at the stars. Time, after all, goes by regardless, and our getaway reminded us to be more intentional about how we spend it.

How To Get There

From North America, direct service to Saint Lucia is available on American Airlines from Miami, Charlotte, and Philadelphia; on JetBlue from New York and Boston; on Delta from Atlanta; and on United Airlines from New Jersey and Chicago.

The best airport to fly in to is Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) in Vieux Fort as it’s the largest airport. It’s a little more than an hour drive to where StolenTime is located in the northern part of the island. The resort can arrange transfers for guests in advance.

When To Go

December through April is typically the dry season and when the weather is warmest.  Wet season is typically June through November, but the rain tends to come in short, heavy bursts and the temperatures are still warm. Wet season tends to have lower prices and less crowds.

StolenTime has a calendar of Feature Months to encourage guests to try activities outside of their comfort zones and build new skills.��If you���re interested in diving, their ���Dive Into Spring��� offering happens March through April and includes marine conservation workshops, introductory free diving classes, and advanced Scuba Clinics. In the fall they offer ���Octoba Yoga,��� which combines daily yoga lessons, intention-setting ceremonies, and Tai Chi and meditation classes.

The post A Wellness Retreat: St. Lucia���s StolenTime Resort appeared first on We Said Go Travel.